I test-drove my first MINI yesterday - an MCS at International MINI of West Allis, WI. It's a fun little car, and I'm glad I drove the four hours to meet it in person.

Does anyone know if International MINI is selling the S at MSRP these days? I had to leave quickly after the test-drive (very low blood sugar), and I did not get a chance to get back and ask many questions before I had to leave for home again.

Chet.

 

Welcome to NAM Chet. Close call on the case of the missing candy bar!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

My questions mostly revolve around things like cold-weather appropriateness, wait times, mark-ups, and whatnot.

This would be my first new car, so I'm a bit nervous about the whole idea. Can the MINI function as my primary vehicle? I had been thinking about the Honda Element as well, but after driving the MCS, the Element feels like a dog!

Chet.

 

Possibly, it depends on you. If you don't tend to haul around much more than groceries, and don't need to take more than 2 adults for a cross country drive, then yes the MINI will do fine as a primary vehicle... We fit two adults and a rear facing car seat in our MINI comfortably. We went up to CT for the Resevoir Dogs Run a few weeks ago, the three of us, a stroller, all of the baby's supplies, and our suitcase fit in the car. For a part of the drive we also had a port-a-crib in the car as well, however that required my wife to pull the seat all the way forward.

If you can fit it into a small sedan, you can fit it into the MINI, especially if you don't have people riding in the back seat.

However, if you routinely haul around furniture, or a lot of people, get something bigger...

 

Welcome Chet! Your first new car and you're looking
at MINI's... What good taste you have!

MINI's are great in winter weather, just make sure you
don't try to use performance tires on snow and ice. Get
some winter tires for the cold season, or do what I do,
and run on all-season tires all year long. I've just
finished my second winter, ('02 with 41k miles), and I
love my MCS as my daily driver!

Godspeed.

 

I agree, all-seasons + fwd should make for a great winter car (but I haven't had a winter in it yet). It won't do as well as some other cars on the road in winter, but it should do just fine.

I got my MCS as a "get me to work and back" and "have a little fun on the weekends" car, but since I got it, I've been hauling around my wife and daughter everywhere we go, plus buddies from work to lunch and back, that sort of thing. The space is quite deceptive--you can pack a lot more in the back than you might think, and folding one seat down affords quite a lot of room for all sorts of things.

I bought off the dealer's lot for MSRP. This was at Cincinnati MINI.

 

Hey Chet, I'm a couple hours south of you (Appleton, WI)...I was just up your way last weekend...lol...if you get a set of winter tires, you'll be fine. I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks mounted on steel wheels for driving in the cold, white stuff. Works out just fine.

As far as wait time, I ordered my car form Patrick MINI in Schaumburg, IL, and had the car exactly two months after ordering.

Oh, and welcome to NAM!

Mark

_________________

 

Thanks for replying everone!

i tried to test-drive a Mitsu Lancer Evo today, but the dealer has ONE (an '03) and refuses to allow a test-drive until I've lined up a complete financing plan and signed on 'contigent upon final test-drive'. What a load of crap! I won't even consider a car until I've given it a test-drive well ahead of signing anything. What does this guy take me for?

Meanwhile, I'd still like to try an Evo and a WRX STi before I decide to go with the MCS. I emailed the salesman I talked to at International MINI and asked him about mark-ups, but he hasn't replied as of yet. I might just call the dealership tomorrow and ask about it so I know if I should be talking to another dealer. I certainly wouldn't mind driving my brand new MINI from Classic MINI back up here to the UP!

As far as the other cars I'm considering, they include the Element, the SRT-4, Evo ('04 or '05 unless I get a deal on an '03), Volkswagen Golf R32 (a long-shot), WRX STi, and the Hummer H2.

Yes, I'm only kidding about the H2. What an eyesore!

Chet.

 

Mark,

You don't happen to drive a BRG MINI, do you? I've seen one of those here in Iron Mountain a few times and it's made my heart skip a beat or two.

Chet.

 

Chet,

Aloha from Hawaii and welcome to NAM.

>>i tried to test-drive a Mitsu Lancer Evo today,...What does this guy take me for?
He thinks you are the average Evo buyer. It's in short supply so it is a seller's market.
Lots of performance. Not a commuter car.
>>
>>Meanwhile, I'd still like to try an Evo and a WRX STi before I decide to go with the MCS.
If you have trouble locating an MCS, give classic a call.

>>
>>As far as the other cars I'm considering, they include the Element, the SRT-4, Evo ('04 or '05 unless I get a deal on an '03), Volkswagen Golf R32 (a long-shot), WRX STi, and the Hummer H2.

H2?!
I don't see how the Element fits with the other choices unless you opt for the twin turbo intercooled version with 35 series tires and twin spoilers. The Element is all about utility but it is quite popular. Good thing you cannot see the outside when you are driving the car, you'd be busy marveling at all the extra space.

Also don't settle for one test drive. Do more. Don't forget to try the MCS with 16" X-lyte wheels if you haven't already.

Good luck.

 

i've never driven b4 but i'm workin' on getting into drivers traing and when i have enough my first cars gonna be a mini they've got great handling and i cant wait!!! i'm also a new member of this siteso take it easy with me if i say anything that may offend you guys.the best thing is when you first get in the mini though because you dont know if youll have to adjust the seat!!

 

>>Mark,
>>
>>You don't happen to drive a BRG MINI, do you? I've seen one of those here in Iron Mountain a few times and it's made my heart skip a beat or two.
>>
>>Chet.


Nope, I have a chili red/white MC with union jack roof decal. I still get giddy when I see another MINI!